Social Comparison Home Water Reports

Summary

The Opower-style neighbor comparison design applied to water produced a larger proportional effect than in energy (5% vs. 2%), likely because water use is less salient and households have more headroom for reduction. High users reduced most; below-average users showed a small 'boomerang' effect that was dampened by smiley-face feedback. The heterogeneity suggests targeting high-usage households improves cost-effectiveness substantially.

Research question

"Can bi-monthly reports comparing household water use to neighbors reduce consumption?"

Methodology

Result

Positive

−5% water consumption; effects largest among high-usage households

Evidence strength

Strong

Randomized trial, replicated across multiple sites or studies.

Replication status

Replicated